Statement: Service is not a political tool—UVC stands with Sen. Mark Kelly

Union Veterans Council Condemns Secretary Hegseth’s Political Weaponization of the Department of Defense Against Senator Mark Kelly

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Craig Romanovich, Executive Director of the Union Veterans Council (UVC), AFL-CIO, issued the following statement today in response to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s announcement of a formal letter of censure and retirement grade reduction proceedings against U.S. Senator Mark Kelly:

“The Union Veterans Council stands in firm solidarity with Senator Mark Kelly—a decorated combat veteran, retired Navy Captain, and astronaut—against what can only be described as a gross abuse of power by the Department of Defense. Secretary Hegseth’s move to censure and demote a sitting United States Senator for reminding service members of their constitutional oath is a dangerous escalation of political retaliation. Of particular concern is the move to reduce his retired rank, an action that directly threatens the military pension he earned over decades of sacrifice. A veteran's pension is deferred compensation for their service; using it as a lever for political discipline undermines the financial security of all who serve.

“Senator Kelly did what every leader in our military is trained to do: he spoke the truth about the law. Every service member takes an oath to support and defend the Constitution, not a person or a political party. That oath includes the solemn obligation to refuse unlawful orders. By labeling these basic American principles ‘seditious,’ Secretary Hegseth is sending a chilling message to every man and woman in uniform: political loyalty now outweighs the rule of law.

“This is not about military discipline; it is about intimidation. Weaponizing the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) to target a political opponent and veteran of 25 years is an insult to the millions of union veterans who have served this country. It undermines the apolitical foundation of our Armed Forces and threatens the very democracy our members fought to protect.

“The Union Veterans Council calls on the administration to immediately cease these frivolous proceedings. We will not sit idly by while the service and benefits of a decorated veteran are stripped away because he had the courage to put the Constitution above partisan politics.”